Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Always buy bottled water or use a filtered water bottle (like Grayl) to avoid stomach illness.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

You can get by with English in tourist hubs, but learning basic phrases for ordering food and asking for directions is expected and polite.

What is the best way to carry money?

Use a mix of a debit card for ATM withdrawals (use bank-affiliated ATMs, not street kiosks) and keep 1,000 MXN in small bills for local vendors.

Backpacking Through Mexico: A Practical Route Plan

Focus your route on either the colonial heartland or the southern coast to avoid burning your entire trip on buses. Allocate at least 14 days for a meaningful loop and prioritize night buses to maximize your time on the ground.

Select your entry point. Fly into Mexico City (MEX) for a central starting point, or Cancun (CUN) if you plan to stick exclusively to the Yucatan Peninsula. MEX is significantly cheaper for international connections.
Choose your region. Don't try to see the whole country. Choose either the Central Highlands (Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca) or the South (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Yucatan) to limit transit time to 6-8 hours between major stops.
Book intercity bus transit. Use the ADO or Primera Plus websites to book tickets. They are reliable, safe, and have toilets/reclining seats. Avoid domestic flights for shorter distances as airport security adds more time than the bus ride itself.
Limit your stops. Spend a minimum of 3 nights in each location. Rushing causes fatigue; 3 nights allows you to see the sights and actually enjoy the local street food scene.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Always buy bottled water or use a filtered water bottle (like Grayl) to avoid stomach illness.
Do I need to speak Spanish?: You can get by with English in tourist hubs, but learning basic phrases for ordering food and asking for directions is expected and polite.
What is the best way to carry money?: Use a mix of a debit card for ATM withdrawals (use bank-affiliated ATMs, not street kiosks) and keep 1,000 MXN in small bills for local vendors.